Socotra Island

Socotra Island, Yemen

From series “Top 15 Most Fantastic Creations of Nature”

Travelers who want to enjoy the ethereal landscapes have to visit the archipelago of Socotra in Yemen. That’s one of the most remote archipelagos in the world. The main value of the islands is the unique flora that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. During the first visit to the archipelago, a person may have a feeling that he stays on another planet, so incredible some landscapes and plants are.

Socotra Island, Yemen
5 out of 15 - Hamilton Pool Preserve, USA 6 out of 15 - Rock Hvitserkur, Iceland 7 out of 15 - Jiuzhaigou Valley, China 8 out of 15 - Socotra Island, Yemen 9 out of 15 - Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia 10 out of 15 - Atacama Desert, Chile 11 out of 15 - Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, USA
Socotra Island, Yemen In total, there are more than 800 plant species on the island and more than 300 of them are endemic. According to scientists, Socotra island has separated from mainland Africa more than 6 million years ago and stayed in the geological isolation for a long time. The hot climate has led to the formation of a very special ecosystem. Visitors can now see the most incredible forms of trees, unique flowers, and valleys that resemble sketches to a fiction movie.

The archipelago located in the Indian Ocean consists of 4 islands and a series of rock formations. Its total area is about 3 800 square meters. One of the most incredible endemic plants, which can be seen in the archipelago, is Dracaena Cinnabari. This unique tree is shaped like a huge mushroom. It reaches 10 meters in height. The plant remains the undisputed symbol of the island of Socotra. The main inhabitants of the islands are birds, among which there are lots of endemic species. The main specie of mammals is gazelle. Fans of diving love to visit the archipelago, as the marine life near the islands is also very diverse. Next - Namib-Naukluft National Park

Jiuzhaigou Valley, China Jiuzhaigou Valley, China
Jiuzhaigou Valley, China Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia
Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia Namib-Naukluft National Park, Namibia

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Socotra Island - interactive map

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